Hey all!
I thought it would be interesting to start a discussion about these color combos. I myself loathe black with brown or navy. Its just one of those things I could never wear, regardless of who makes it. It has a nails-on-chalkboard effect for me. Seriously.

I got to thinking about this more after seeing some of Farielle's looks where she is combining black and brown. I gotta say, you make it work by some strange miracle! I didn't feel like vomiting when looking at some of those pics...(I hope you can consider that a compliment Farielle! LOL).
So Farielle, you are, in my opinion, the only person I can tolerate wearing black with brown, lol.

What do the rest of you think about these color combos?

I agree that I don't normally like looks that combine different shades of darker colors, but Farielle makes it look amazing. I usually use black or navy as an offset color and will pair it with a brighter color or white. It makes me think of the look of different jean materials together, I just don't like it.

Ooh yes, mixing denim is bad too!

Ah, I too wear brown with black. Not often, and not in direct contact. That is to say...not a brown top with black pants. But I will mix handbags, shoes, tights, etc in that combo. I bought a scarf long ago that was grey, brown, black, and white striped that changed my aversion to the combo. Now I like it.

I've never worn black and navy, however. A hostess at my restaurant does, though, and she manages to make it work. I think it is the exact right shade of navy that makes it work...not super dark, leaning more to blue.

black and navy has always been a fashion faux pas growing up. but now I wear it every once in awhile but with caution. sometimes it can be the wrong color blue aqnd look really funny!

I totally agree, but sometimes some people can make it work. What are your thoughts on different pant shades and different shoes? Navy pants and brown shoes??

With the right shade of brown...maybe more of a "caramel" or "camel" or some combination of those letters...I think it is ok. I mean, are you supposed to be matchy-matchy with everything?!

NO navy pants with brown shoes. Like Alya says below, a camel/caramel/light tan is best with navy.

I mean like Alya says above, lol

i hate mixing denim, it makes me nauseous- but mixing black/brown/gray/navy all really have grown on me- they have to be done in the right way, it takes a serious amount of personal attitude and self confidence to pull it off! the easiest way to do it is to start the foundation with one garment or accessory that mixes them, and then build around it

i also once read in a magazine that its super chic to mix and match dark shades as your neutrals: army, mustard, burgundy, navy, brown, deep purple- i've tried it a few times and LOVED the effect but i'm sure its just as much as a faux pas

I think this looks great if you do it right.

I don't mind mixing other dark shades, and I actually really like how that looks some times...its the brown/black/navy that's a problem for me.

i've recently become addicted to doing it- i'll snap a few photos- either you'll love it and i'll convert you, or you can hate it and give me low ratings :)

LOL dazzlin! Sounds like a challenge! Lets see those pics!

hi bimbi,
check out my latest black & brown photo- enjoy! :)

it really depends on the shades of all of these colors. but if u can make it work.... then work it!!

Great photo Dazzling, you definitely make this work!

thanks!

There is actually something so wrong, but so right, about mixing dark shades like navy, browns, and blacks together. I agree, it does depend on the shades and the styles of the pieces.

absolutely! and something about it has to be obviously on purpose, but not trying too hard. you will look like a hot mess if it looks out of place.

Agreed Dazzlin!

I have to agree with Bimbi284......about disliking brown or navy with black!!! I don't "think" they match or blend together as they should, but I'll preface THAT with the fact that I wear a LOT of black, some brown...I'm thinking you are referring to "like a chocolate" color, and I NEVER wear anything navy except, of course, jeans!!! During the summer, of couse, I wear beige....capris or long shorts etc., but NADA in NAVY!!! I guess I have to say I definitely don't like it. It comes from my obsession with color matching!?!?!!
Now, since I'm fairly new, where would I look if I wanted to see the photo of Dazzlin in her latest black and brown outfit? Maybe I can be converted!!!

So not a big fan of navy huh stellamae? Do you ever mix navy with a brown handbag or shoes?

Yay! Someone on my side! LOL. Stella, just click on her name under her pic. It'll take you to her profile, where you can browse through her looks. I believe the black/brown outfit is on the 2nd or 3rd page of her looks.

I'm with Stellamae, navy is hard to match as a navy wool suit with matching shoes,you would have to do red as it would never match up.I like basics in solid black and charcoal grey.
Do you remember the Bottega line of black purses with brown leather trim, "MARCO POLO"?
I have a tiny and I mean tiny leather mail bag leather Gucci that is black,dark brown and caramel and it is so elegant. Never worn due to size.
Nice to hear from you Stella!

Never!!! Don't really use that color much, except chocolate with dark brown ONLY.....see what I mean about the "matching" thing.....OCD!

so what do you all think about over matchy matchy a la paris hilton? it makes me dizzy, personally!

I hate to see "matchy-matchy" things. Like when someone wears a green shirt so they must wear green shoes. Nooo. Anytime you pick two colors and utilize ONLY those two colors...you look like a 10 year old. I don't mind the black/white thing, but anything else is too much. It's 2008.

totally agreed. i always find myself mismatched on purpose- even if i own accesories or shoes in the exact same shade i ignore that automatically reach for the complimentary color (orange and purple, purple and yellow, etc.)
the only classics i love are the red, white & black combo-- but black & white work with a host of other brights (yellow, blue, green)

I'm not overly matchy matchy, but I do wear a lot of color, so I tend to keep my accessories pretty simple and basic. I have a couple of necklaces that have different charms and stuff on them that seem to go with almost everything I have, but since they have a lot on them, I keep my earrings simple. For other stuff, I'll pick up on a particular detail in a pattern or something, and match my accesories with that. For example, I have a yellow dress that has some pearly buttons on it, and I sometimes wear it with pearls....would NEVER wear it with anything else yellow...eww.

ick. we have paris hilton to do that for us!

If you wore yellow with yellow we could call you" tweety" (lol) What color handbag and shoes do you wear?

With that dress, I wore white patent t-strap flat sandals...its actually the dress I entered for Urban Elegance, and it is currently in my profile. To be honest...I don't really have a bag that looks good with it...so I just wore my everyday bag, which is a Vera Bradley. Totally clashing, I know, but the dress is statement enough, and I just kind of set the bag down and don't have it with me much haha.

a 10 year old.... lol! Alya you crack me up!

I only mix brown with black if it appears in a pattern in my scarves or a handbag. Always black pants with black shoes. I'm ocd with monochromatic! I only wear color in accessories. I use my simple outfit to show off a pin, scarf,etc.
I love a black sweater with jeans but never ever mix denim colors together.

Caryn, are you anal about your black's matching by chance?? If I wear the same color of something, it needs to match, unless its an obvious texture difference...I'm kinda weird haha.

(disregard the apostrophe in "black's" please)...I REALLY wish we could edit our posts or at least delete them and rewrite them again!

I think you guys would be proud of me. I am wearing the closest I could get to a brown/navy combo today...and I don't hate it!
I am wearing my darkest wash jeans with a brown top and brown flat boots! I'll try to take a pic and post it soon!

Darn it....I didn't get a chance to get a pic that day!! I'll try to get one soon!

I put something like that on last night. may darkest jeans and my brown shoes that I have posted and a brown sweater. I ouldnt help but think of u guys as I chuckled to myself. I should have taken a pic. cant wait to see bimbi!

hahaha you ladies are great!

Thank you Bimbi, that a nice compliment. Love reading about all of the brown black post .

So I suppose I'm on my own with this! ;)

You really make these styles work!

coco chanel loved working with brown & black and blended them with pearls...I think it all depends how you make it work...I'm more monochromatic as I'm short and need to lose a few ponds...one rule for me or call it a pet peeve is that my blacks have to match!!! I'll go insane!!!...

Yeah yeah yeah, you tell me that Chanel story all the time! Hahaha

What happened to mother knows best?!

jenndouglass, don't mind me, I'm almost color blind hahahaha!!!!

lmao!!!! I was looking in my closet and saw a pair of brown pants and a black shirt and could not bring my self to wear them despite it was the only set of work clothes i had that was clean that kinda matched lol. so i decided to just wear jeans!

hahaha~!